The Pilot Point Lady Cats powerlifting team racked their weights for the final time this season after competing at the 2026 Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association State Meet on March 19.
Three Lady Cats qualified for the event in Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, with all three recording Top 10 finishes.
“The girls in 114 [pound weight class] finished a little bit ahead of where they went in, and while Alliyah [Smith] didn’t have her best day there, she still did well,” said Robby Perez, Pilot Point head powerlifting coach. “They’re great kids, and the best thing about it for them is that they’re all juniors, and they get the opportunity to try and do this again. They were talking right after the meet and saying, ‘Next year I want to break this record,’ so it’s already in their heads.”
Camila Medrano was the Lady Cats’ top performer, placing sixth in the 114-pound weight class with a weight total of 590 pounds.
Vanessa Escalante placed sev- enth in the 114-pound weight class, lifting a total of 580 pounds.
Smith finished 10th in the 198-pound weight class, lifting a total of 745 pounds.
Smith spoke highly of her first appearance at the state meet.
“It was very crowded in the arena, but the energy was unimaginable,” she said. “Everybody was hyped and everybody was cheering for one another, and it was a great experience to have.”
She made sure to thank Perez and her mother, Christina Barrera, for their support this season.
“Coach Perez was always there encouraging me, and he always had a great attitude, and then my mom has always been my number one supporter, and I loved having her there with me this season,” she said.
With Pilot Point’s season at a close, Perez also shared his appreciation for everyone that helped make the Lady Cats’ season special.
“Thanks to the kids and the community for their effort and hard work, and thanks to our coaching staff for being flexible and letting these young ladies compete in whatever sport they want to compete in,” he said. “That’s why people want to go to a smaller school like Pilot Point because if you want to powerlift and play basketball and play soccer, you can do that.”
